San Juan/Barataria MP hits truancy

Saying “students have chosen to boycott their schools”, he said the situation concerns teachers and school administrators, and sets back the school curriculum.

“It was based on these circumstances that Minister of Education in the Basdeo Panday led administration 1995 to 2000, Dr Adesh Nanan, created a weeklong holiday period to be enjoyed by students and teachers, by reallocating the extra three days from other holidays that were designated during the academic year.” This allowed pupils and teachers to celebrate Carnival, and fully recover before resuming their schooling, thereby cutting truancy and boosting productivity.

“After only one year however, the initiative came under severe criticism from the then PNM (People’s National Movement) Opposition, who forced the government to abandon the decision and allowed the situation to return the state that it finds itself currently.”